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Hartland board denies request to allow extra dogs after neighbors and police describe unsanitary conditions
Summary
After extended public comment and a police review, the Village of Hartland board voted to deny Lorie Bowman’s request to keep three additional dogs, citing ordinance limits and evidence of unsanitary conditions; police said they will forward a report to the district attorney’s office.
The Village of Hartland board on Monday voted to deny a restricted‑species permit request that would have allowed Lorie Bowman to keep three additional dogs at a private residence.
Several neighbors and the homeowner, Kevin Gford, told the board the animals are kept in poor conditions and that odors and fecal debris have affected adjacent properties. Gford said he allowed Bowman to stay in his house and later sought her removal after what he described as ‘‘a slurry of urine and fecal that has crusted on the door ledge and all around’’ and that the dogs ‘‘live in a slurry of their own waste.’’ Several other residents echoed concerns about animal care and neighborhood impacts during public comment.
Police briefed the board on their investigation, saying officers took photographs and are drafting a report to forward to the district attorney’s office for review. Chief Tom said the department determined there were more than the two dogs allowed under village ordinance and that the department referred the matter to staff to ensure licensing compliance. Deputy Clerk Sandy told the board the applicant asked to appear on June 22 because she works Monday evenings; the board weighed that request but members said delay would not change the facts presented.
Board members then made and seconded a motion to deny the application for the three additional dogs. The motion carried. Staff noted the denial applies only to the permit; eviction and other civil matters raised during testimony are separate and are being handled through the homeowner’s eviction process. The police chief said citations related to ordinance violations will be issued if conditions persist.
The board also requested that police continue active follow up and that staff coordinate with appropriate animal‑welfare partners; staff said the humane society had limited authority in this case and the police were referring evidence to the district attorney’s office.
The decision came after roughly 40 minutes of public comment, including detailed testimony from the property owner and multiple neighbors. The board did not take additional legal action at the meeting beyond denying the permit and urging enforcement of existing codes.
